Morocco to promote internal tourism

11/02/2007

To promote internal tourism, the government is joining forces with travel agencies to develop packages that cater to the different needs and budgets of Moroccan tourists.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 11/02/07

[Sarah Touahri] Moroccans will be able to afford visiting many regions of the country thanks to the internal tourism promotion strategy.

In a bid to eventually double the number of holidays spent in recognised commercial accommodation from the current level of 1.1 million per year to 2 million by 2010, Morocco plans to promote internal tourism, according to Abbas Azzouzi, chief executive officer of the Moroccan National Tourism Office.

Sociologist Jamal Choufani explains that even though Moroccans have always travelled, the majority stay with relatives or friends to avoid paying for a hotel. He believes Morocco has not yet managed to develop a full range of hotel services or tourist facilities which adequately meet people’s needs in terms of affordability and flexibility.

For that, the tourism office plans to develop products that all Moroccans can afford. Azzouzi says that his department based its plans on a survey by an international agency on the behaviour and expectations of Moroccan holiday-makers. The survey, in which 6,000 people took part, showed that 73% of domestic tourists favoured family accommodation.

Plans are under way to create packages catering to the needs of every segment --campsites, tourist residences, family holiday villages -- as well as integrated tourist zones in various regions of the country.

A theme-based promotion timetable has been drawn up taking school and national holidays into account. At the beginning of this year, the focus will be on the south, in particular Ouarzazate, Zagora, Merzouga and Errachidia. In April, destinations with significant natural potential such as Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Ifrane, Fes and Meknes will be promoted to Moroccans.

The strategy is based primarily on "Kounouz Biladi" (The Treasures of my Country) -- a plan involving the creation of eight different tourist zones in major national tourist destinations and offering competitive prices. Partnership contracts have been signed with three travel agencies to implement the plans and promotional campaigns are planned to take place before the launch of each of the three initiatives.

The offers run from as little as 1,250 dirhams for a two-night stay in a 3-star hotel in Essaouira to a week in a 4-star hotel in Agadir for 2,925 dirhams. Weekend deals are also offered for Ouarzazate and Zagora with packages catering to different budgets.

Jamal Meftah, a teacher, welcomes the initiative. He says he will now be able to take his family of five on holiday. "I can’t afford to stay in hotels. With the offers now available in tourist accommodation, I’ll be able to have some nice holidays with my wife and children."

This view is shared by a large number of Moroccan families who believe they will now have the opportunity to explore their country. Hicham Chamali, a banker, says that the special offers will enable him to explore a variety of regions of the country.